Ross DW, Moses AA, Niyyar VD. Point-of-care ultrasonography in nephrology comes of age.
Clin Kidney J 2022;
15:2220-2227. [PMID:
36381376 PMCID:
PMC9664573 DOI:
10.1093/ckj/sfac160]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The physical exam is changing. Many have argued that the physical exam of the 21st century should include point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). POCUS is being taught in medical schools and has been endorsed by the major professional societies of internal medicine. In this review we describe the trend toward using POCUS in medicine and describe where the practicing nephrologist fits in. We discuss what a nephrologist's POCUS exam should entail and we give special attention to what nephrologists can gain from learning POCUS. We suggest a 'nephro-centric' approach that includes not only ultrasound of the kidney and bladder, but of the heart, lungs and vascular access. We conclude by reviewing some of the sparse data available to guide training initiatives and give suggested next steps for advancing POCUS in nephrology.
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